Merry Christmas

This year our Christmas Card was Chase outside on the ONE day it snowed...I clicked a few images because of the snow...plus it was my buddy's birthday!!!

I hope each of you had a Blessed Christmas with all of your family and friends...we did!!
Wendy

~~A Baby's Hug~~

~~My Aunt received this story through an email wanted to share the sweetness to all of you~~

We were the only family with children in the restaurant. I sat Erik in a high chair and noticed everyone was quietly sitting and talking. Suddenly, Erik squealed with glee and said, 'Hi.' He pounded his fat baby hands on the high chair tray. His eyes were crinkled in laughter and his mouth was bared in a toothless grin, as he wriggled and giggled with merriment.

I looked around and saw the source of his merriment. It was a man whose pants were baggy with a zipper at half-mast and his toes poked out of would-be shoes. His shirt was dirty and his hair was uncombed and unwashed. His whiskers were too short to be called a beard and his nose was so varicose it looked like a road map.

We were too far from him to smell, but I was sure he smelled.. His hands waved and flapped on loose wrists. 'Hi there, baby; hi there, big boy. I see ya, buster,' the man said to Erik.

My husband and I exchanged looks,

'What do we do?'

Erik continued to laugh and answer, 'Hi.'

Everyone in the restaurant noticed and looked at us and then at the man. The old geezer was creating a nuisance with my beautiful baby. Our meal came and the man began shouting from across the room, 'Do ya patty cake? Do you know peek-a-boo? Hey, look, he knows peek- a-boo.'

Nobody thought the old man was cute. He was obviously drunk.

My husband and I were embarrassed. We ate in silence; all except for Erik, who was running through his repertoire for the admiring skid-row bum, who in turn, reciprocated with his cute comments.

We finally got through the meal and headed for the door. My husband went to pay the check and told me to meet him in the parking lot. The old man sat poised between me and the door. 'Lord, just let me out of here before he speaks to me or Erik,' I prayed. As I drew closer to the man, I turned my back trying to sidestep him and avoid any air he might be breathing. As I did, Erik leaned over my arm, reaching with both arms in a baby's 'pick-me-up' position. Before I could stop him, Erik had propelled himself from my arms to the man.

Suddenly a very old smelly man and a very young baby consummated their love and kinship. Erik in an act of total trust, love, and submission laid his tiny head upon the man's ragged shoulder. The man's eyes closed, and I saw tears hover beneath his lashes. His aged hands full of grime, pain, and hard labor, cradled my baby's bottom and stroked his back. No two beings have ever loved so deeply for so short a time.

I stood awestruck. The old man rocked and cradled Erik in his arms and his eyes opened and set squarely on mine. He said in a firm commanding voice, 'You take care of this baby.'

Somehow I managed, 'I will,' from a throat that contained a stone.

He pried Erik from his chest, lovingly and longingly, as though he were in pain. I received my baby, and the man said, 'God bless you, ma'am, you've given me my Christmas gift.'

I said nothing more than a muttered thanks. With Erik in my arms, I ran for the car. My husband was wondering why I was crying and holding Erik so tightly, and why I was saying, 'My God, my God, forgive me.'

I had just witnessed Christ's love shown through the innocence of a tiny child who saw no sin, who made no judgment; a child who saw a soul, and a mother who saw a suit of clothes. I was a Christian who was blind, holding a child who was not. I felt it was God asking, 'Are you willing to share your son for a moment?' when He shared His for all eternity. How did God feel when he put his baby in our arms 2000 years ago.

The ragged old man, unwittingly, had reminded me, 'To enter the Kingdom of God, we must become as little children.'

~~Many Christmas Blessings to All of You!
Wendy

Happy Birthday...Big 14 year old!!!....and....Let Snow!!?!!!!

Happy Birthday to My Very Precious Boy!!!

I prayed for you since I was a little girl..I couldn't WAIT to be a mommy and trust me I practiced alot with my baby dolls!!! When I found out you would be would be my son, I knew that my already blessed life would be even more blessed because you were my gift from God. I was and still am so Thankful for you!

The night before you were born your family was in the hallway and waiting room "betting" on when you would join us...you see...you were supposed to be born on the 9th...but you knew how to be "fashionably late" and waited until after midnight!! It didn't matter to me...I just wanted to know that you were healthy...and that you were!

We have had such a wonderful time for these past 14 years! I'll never forget when we went to Disneyworld, just the 2 of us...what a great time we had! Us going to "That Frio River, where you learned how to swim" (thank you George Strait!!), with Mimi and PawPaw...you hated the firefly's buzzing around your head... and now going back every other year...now you even go down the big drop and you aren't even scared! Mexico with Mimi and PawPaw those 2 times, the one year we were at Tulum and you wanted me to hold you but it was soooo hot...all you wanted to do is hug me and you said "Thank you Mom, this is beautiful...I Love You"...I melted!!! Swimming with the dolphins..and experience I'll NEVER forget! The Cruise with Wayne....what a blast!!! Henry saying..."Can I get a Whoop Whoop!!" AND..you won $120 playing Bingo..way to go! Oh my gosh....we have so many WONDERFUL MEMORIES!!!

I am so very proud of you in everything you do! You are so sweet, smart, loving, kind, funny, thoughtful, caring, loyal, bold, athletic, brave, talented and I absolutely Love EVERYTHING about you!!! Thank you for being such an awesome son!!!

And your friends....you choose such great ones, I hope you will continue to remain friends with them for years to come....these are just a few!!

Oh.....and to add to all the fun.....TODAY, on YOUR BIRTHDAY....it started snowing!!!!!! That's a once in a lifetime thing to even happen in Houston...needless to say on your birthday! Like you said 14 must be your luck number!!! It might not have been much, but hey you get what you can take, right!!?!

"Hurry up Mom...I'm COLD!!"

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! I LOVE YOU BUDDY!!!!!

Mom
xxooxxooxxooxxoo

p. s. You are ALWAYS in my Heart!

Peek.A.Boo

Ok...here's a question for ya.......is little angel the most precious thing or WHAT!!!

This cutie is the youngest of four girls and you would think they were quad's born in different years...they look soooo much alike!! I have had the honor to photograph this family with all their girls for years and it's been awesome to watch them grow up!

LOVE the ruffles!!!

"huh!!??!"

I just love to capture the interation between Mommy and Baby...so sweet!

Enjoy these wonderful times..

Blessings~

Wendy